Your roof takes an unusual amount of punishment. After all, it’s exposed to wind, rain, snow, and even hail.
That hail can prove especially bad. It can cause around $14 billion in roof damage in a bad year.
The potential for damage ought to mean regular roof inspections on your home. Yet many a homeowner will go years and never schedule an inspection.
For some, the risk may seem low. For others, it may not even occur to them to get it done.
If you’re wondering how often you get a roof inspection, keep reading. We’ll cover why you need one, who should do it, and how often.
Reasons for a Roof Inspection
Hail isn’t the only thing that threatens your roof’s integrity. The simple passage of time can leave your roof vulnerable. After all, your basic shingles typically come with a 20-year guarantee.
In reality, though, individual shingles can fail years ahead of that schedule due to wear and tear. Wind, branch impacts, and winter ice formation can all damage your roof. The only way you can ensure your roof remains sound is if you schedule an inspection periodically.
Who Should Inspect Your Roof
For many homeowners, one of the big questions is who should go over that roof inspection checklist. While you might excel at DIY projects, you probably don’t possess the knowledge to spot telltale signs of roof problems. For that matter, most people lack the expertise necessary to spot a questionable shingle.
The person you really need up on your roof running the inspection is a roof repair specialist. That generally means someone who works as a roofing contractor. These contractors fix damaged roofs all the time, which means they know exactly what a roof problem looks like.
For a good example of a roof repair contractor, check out this company.
How Often Should I Schedule an Inspection?
The basic rule of thumb about roof inspections is that you should get it done twice per year. A spring inspection and a fall inspection make the most sense for most homeowners.
A spring inspection lets you catch any problems caused by winter weather. You can get a roof repair estimate and schedule a roof repair service. A fall inspection lets you catch any problems cause by summer storms.
You might wonder, “How much is a roof inspection?” You’ll typically a little over $200 for a standard roof inspection, although prices can vary around $100 up or down.
Scheduling Regular Inspections can Save You Money
If you schedule an inspection for your roof twice a year, as recommended, it gives you a good chance of catching problems while they’re still small. While minor repairs still cost something, it’s almost always a lot less than getting your entire roof replaced.
When you let the inspections go, problems like leaks can fester and damage the wood beneath your shingles. That repair will run you a bundle.
Not sure what you should expect after an inspection or repair estimate done? You can find sample estimate forms on this site.
